Ceiling outlet box with positioning means



Jan. 10, 1956 L. H. TUTT 2,730,261

CEILING OUTLET BOX WITH POSITIONING MEANS Filed Dec. 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Leo H. Tulf JNVENTOR.

Jan. 10, 1956 TUTT 2,730,261

CEILING OUTLET BOX WITH POSITIONING MEANS Filed Dec. 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Leo H. Tuff INVENTOR.

Jan. w, 1956 L. H. TUTT 2,730,261

CEILING OUTLET BOX WITH POSITIONING MEANS Filed Dec. 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 L e0 H. 7' uh IN VEN TOR.

2,730,261 CEILING OUTLET BOXWITH POSITIONING MEANS Leo H. Tutt, Topeka, Kans. Application December 17, 1953, Serial No. 398,671 4 Claims. (Cl. 220-35) This invention installation tool and morejspecifically provides a novel relation to the supporting member.

An object of this invention is to provide an outlet box and installation tool therefor includingnovel structure of the box, improved mounting means and means for determining the relationship between the open end of the receptacle and the supporting member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ceiling outlet box and an installation tool which is simple in construction, easy to install, well adapted for its purposes and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the ceiling outlet box of this invention secured to an overhead supporting member;

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical section taken substantially along the center line of the construction of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan section taken substantially along section line 33 of Figure 2 showing the relationship of the outlet box and fastening element;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a wall mounted outlet box similar in construction to the ceiling box of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan section taken substantially along the center line of the construction of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detailed perspective showing the struck out portions for holding the fastening means in correct position;

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view showing means for spacing the open end of the receptacle in spaced relation to the front surface of the support;

Figure 8 is a detailed perspective of the installation tool of this invention; and

Figure 9 is a top plan view with portions thereof in section showing the construction of Figure 4 and utilizing the installation tool for spacing the forward end or open end of the receptacle forwardly of the front surface of the supporting member.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and especially Figures 1-3, it will be seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the ceiling outlet box of this invention for attachment to an overhead support 12 such as a ceiling joist or the like. The ceiling outlet box 10 includes a plurality of side walls 14 and open end portions 16 having inwardly extending lugs 18 on opposite edges and outwardly extending lugs 20 on opposite edges for securing the light fixture or the light thereto. The side walls 14 are provided with a plurality of openings 22 having removable plugs 24 therein which are provided with a nited States Patent centrally located slot 26 for receiving a screw driver or the like or prying out of the plug 24 thereby permitting trical installation process. The side walls 14 are provided with a cut-out or recessed portion indicated by thenumeral 28 t Figures 8 and 9.

The construction as illustrated in Figures +6 is substantially the same as that indicated in the Figures 13 with the exception that the receptacle or outlet box 10 is joist 42 and the open end of the As specifically illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the receptacle 10 is positioned on the joist 12 or 42 by use of the tool 40. The tool 40 includes a handle portion 46, an elongated shank 48 and a reduced end portion 50. The reduced end portion 50 has a compression coil spring 52 secured thereto for purposes described hereinafter. Adjacent the mid-point of the elongated shank 48 is a transverse bar 54 having laterally extending pointed pegs 56 thereon and located at remote ends thereof. The pegs 56 are so positioned to be received in the apertures 38 and the reduced end portion 50 is received in the slot 36. The compression spring 52 permits the pegs 56 to be in It will be understood that the device of this invention permits the rapid installation of outlet boxes 10 in correct relation to the supporting joists 12 or 42 in a most expeditious manner. This also permits modated with the resultant fixture or switch being substantially flush with the wall or ceiling as desired in housing construction. Obviously, the various elements of this invention may be constructed of readily obtainable materials and the particular novel construction of the reduced area indicated by the numeral 28 permits the installation of the outlet boxes of a larger size thereby permitting more electrical conduit to be connected in the outlet box and still remain within the electrical and building codes as set forth by various housing groups and planning commissions.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An'outlet box comprising a receptacle having side walls, a closed end and an open end, one of said side walls having a recessed portion forming a reduced area, means for determining the position of the receptacle, and means projecting through said reduced area and engaging a support for mounting said receptacle, said receptacle being provided with a plurality of openings having removable closures therein, and said mounting means includes an elongated fastener, said side walls having struckout bendable lugs engaging the fastener for guiding and frictionally retaining the fastener in position for engagement with the support.

2. An outlet box comprising a receptacle having side walls, a closed end and an open end, one of said side walls having a recessed portion forming a reduced area, means for determining the position of the receptacle, and means projecting through said reduced area and engaging a support for mounting said receptacle, said positioning means including a projecting portion for engaging the front of a support, said projecting portion being associated with said receptacle in selective adjustably spaced relation to said open end whereby the distance from the open end of the recetpacle to the front of a support may be gauged.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said projecting portion able lugs for engaging the front of the support.

4. A ceiling outlet box comprising a receptacle receptacle,

includes a plurality of spaced bendhavnd and an open end, one of rtion forming a rethe position of the through said reduced area and engaging a support for mounting said receptacle,

engaging the being associate ably spaced relation t from the open end support may be gaug being inwardly tapere said positioning means including a projecting portion for front of a support, said projecting portion of the receptacle to the front attachment of various sizes of fittings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS d with said receptacle in selective adjust- 0 said open end whereby the distance ofa ed, the juncture of the side walls d at the open end for permitting 

